Finger applicator or massaging device



JNVENTOR.

CLARE R. WOODBURY HER ATTORNEYS Feb. 5, 1952 c. R. WOODBURY FINGER APPLICATOR OR MASSAGING DEVICE Filed July 20, 1948 Patented Feb. 5, 1952 sA r FHJGER APPLICATUR R MASSAGING DEVICE 1 Claim.

The present invention relates to massaging devices and more particularly to a new'and improved finger applicator or massaging device which enables the user to massage a body mem ber such as a finger, for example, a simple and highly effective manner.

Heretofore, difiioulty has been experienced in satisfactorily massaging body members such as fingers, in the treatment of arthritis, stifiened or sore joints, or the like. Inasmuch as a finger is not uniform in section along its length, the massaging action afforded by prior devices was ineffective and sometimes even painful because of the uneven distribution of pressure over the entire length of the finger.

An object of this invention, accordingly, is to provide a novel massaging device adapted to engage a body member, such as a finger, and to massage itupon stroking the device back and forth along the finger.

Another object of the invention is to a massaging device which is capable of accommodating variations present in the shapes of fingers, namely in one finger or between adjacent fingers.

A-further object of the present invention is to provide a massaging device so constructed as to enable the pressure it exerts on a finger to be varied.

These and other objects of the present inven tion are attained by providing a massaging device comprising a generally U-shaped element having inwardly projecting teeth which are adaptedto engage a body member such as a finger, for example, and efiect a massaging action when the device is moved relatively to the body member.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following detailed description of a typical embodiment of the device, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a view in top elevation showing a device constructed according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a view in end elevation of the device taken on line 22 of Figure Land looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the device as conventionally used on a finger.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, a massaging device I0 is shown which may comprise a generally U-shaped element ll formed of any suitable resilient material, such as a plastic having a rubbery nature, for example. Protruding from the U-shaped element II are a plurality of inwardly projecting teeth l2, which preferably have a somewhat conical shape. The U-shaped element H and the teeth It are, in a typical embodiment, formed as a single unit.

When in use, the massaging device 10 is placed around a finger I3, as shown inFigure 3, and

may be manipulated by the user by placing the fingers of his other hand over the arms of the U-shaped element H. The teeth l2 serve to apply a force on the finger l3 and upon movement of the device Iil, as in the direction of the arrows, for example, an effective massaging action results.

inasmuch as the U-shaped element ii is preferably constructed of a resilient material, the massaging device 40 can be easily adjusted so as to conform to any one of the users fingers.

In order to maintain an initial nominal pressure on the finger E3, the spacing between the tips of opposite teeth 52 projecting inwardly from the opposite arms of the U-shaped element ll preferably should be less than the thickness of the average finger it.

It will be understood that the specific embodiment described above can be modified within the spirit of the invention. For example, the U- shaped element 5 i may be made long enough to extend over a plurality of fingers, if desired, thereby permitting easy treatment of fingers. which because of a diseased condition, for example, maybe restricted in movement. Other modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the invention provides a simple and inexpensive, yet highly effective finger massaging device.

While the invention has been described with specific reference to the structure shown in the accompanying drawings, it is not to be limited save as defined in the appended claim.

I claim:

A finger massaging device comprising a U- shaped element having substantially straight sides integrally connected at adjacent ends by an arcuate case. said U -shaped member being readily deformable by pressure exerted thereon to vary the spacing between its sides, said U-shaped element having a row of integral inwardly pro ng flexible teeth of substantially conical shape extending inwardly from the inner faces i said sides and base with their inner, smaller 1.. in substantially uniformly spaced relation. said teeth flexing upon engagement with a finger to efiect a massaging action upon movement of said device along said finger.

CLARE R. WOODBURY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATE N'IS 

